-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Win Tin , a founding member of Myanmar 's National League for Democracy who was jailed for 19 years for political activism , has died at Yangon Hospital . He was 85 .

A National League for Democracy -LRB- NLD -RRB- spokesperson told CNN Win Tin was admitted to Yangon Hospital three weeks ago with a kidney problem .

One of Myanmar 's most prominent dissidents , Win Tin was a journalist and writer who joined with Aung San Suu Kyi during her campaign in 1988 , according to Nyan Win , the current spokesperson for the NLD .

He was arrested in 1989 by Myanmar 's military rulers , who feared the strength of the pro-democracy movement .

`` Immediately after his arrest , U Win Tin was kept without food and sleep for three days , '' Suu Kyi wrote about his imprisonment . `` It appeared that the interrogators wished to force him to admit he was my adviser on political tactics , in other words , that he was my puppet master . ''

`` A man of courage and integrity , U Win Tin would not be intimidated into making false confessions , '' she added .

Win Tin continued to push for democracy even while in prison , penning a letter to the United Nations that resulted in additional jail time .

Despite his key role as a political leader , Win Tin 's personal life was largely solitary .

After he was released in 2008 , he told CNN that he was a `` vagabond '' with no family or children because he had given his life to the fight for democracy in Myanmar .

While he struck an optimistic note about the progress that had been made in his country after his release , he noted there was still a `` tremendous amount of work to be done . ''

`` He was a great pillar of strength , '' said Nyan Win . `` His demise at this important political juncture of transition is a great loss not only to the NLD but also to the country . We are deeply saddened . ''

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Myanmar political activist and National League for Democracy founding member Win Tin has died at 85

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He was arrested in 1989 by country 's military rulers and was not released from jail until 2008

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Win Tin lived alone , saying he forsook a family to devote his life to the fight for democracy